Hugh Downs School of Human Communication at ASU

Join us in congratulating Dr. Julie Martin! 🎉 Julie successfully defended her dissertation, “Seeing Through the V***r: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Investigate Parent-Child Conversations About E-Cigarette Use and Measure Subsequent Health Outcomes.” We are incredibly proud of her hard work and dedication. Great job Julie!

We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Cassandra Ryder has successfully defended her dissertation, “Suspiciously Swiping: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis on Online Dating Misrepresentation.” A big thank you to her co-advisors Dr. Laura Guerrero and Dr. Liesel Sharabi and committee members Dr. Joris Van Ouytsel, and Dr. Erin Basinger (UNC Charlotte). Congratulations, Dr. Ryder! 🎉

🎉 Please join us in congratulating our recent graduate, Dr. Dacheng Zhang! 🎉
Dr. Zhang successfully defended his dissertation, “Antagonistic Gestures: A Critical Qualitative Study of Community-Driven Artmaking and its Praxis in Cultural Resistance,” and we are so proud!
Joining Dr. Zhang were committee members Dr. Rocío Garcia (ASU, T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics) and Dr. Godfried Asante (San Diego State University) as well as co-chairs Drs. Heewon Kim and Lore H LeMaster.
Dr. Zhang’s dissertation cuts across disciplinary areas of intercultural communication and performance studies to reveal an innovative and engaged approach to critical qualitative scholarship in a community of artists.

Congratulations, Dr. Zhang! 🎓👏

🎉 We're thrilled to share more amazing news from International Communication Association (ICA Official Page)'s 74th Annual ICA Conference--Sarah J. Tracy was also honored with the distinguished 2024 Frederic M. Jablin Award for her outstanding contributions to Organizational Communication. Another well-deserved congratulations!

🎉 "Koala-fications" met and exceeded! 🐨 Congratulations to Sarah J. Tracy for "hopping" into the prestigious circle of the International Communication Association (ICA Official Page)'s ICA Fellows Class of 2024. Not just a leap in her career, but a giant "jump" for the HDSHC and the field of communication!🦘

🎓🌟Big News!🌟🎓
Please join us in congratulating our recent graduate, Dr. Benjamin (ben) Brandley!
Dr. Brandley successfully defended ben's dissertation, "A Communication Approach to Asexual People of Color’s Experiences with Allonormativity" and we are so proud! Joining ben were committee members Dr. Alaina Zanin Huttanus, Dr. Kristina Gupta (Wake Forest University), and Dr. Lore H LeMaster (Chair). Notably, Dr. Brandley's dissertation is the first dissertation in communication to center asexual people of color and the relational ways through which asexual folks of color navigate allonormativity at the intersections of difference. Congratulations Dr. Brandley!

BIG NEWS!
For the first time ever, the Hugh Downs School is hosting an Instagram takeover! Join Natalia Tefft, a standout student in communication and family and human development as she takes you on an unforgettable journey through England, Scotland, and Ireland.
Expect exclusive content, stories, and a fresh perspective on our annual study abroad program!
The adventure begins on May 19! Follow us on Instagram and use and to be part of the experience.
Get ready to explore the world of communication across cultures with us!

https://www.instagram.com/p/C7DBbkjBuvc/

🌟 Exciting Announcement at the Hugh Downs School!🌟 Joris Van Ouytsel has been promoted to Associate Professor! His passion for knowledge and dedication to student success exemplify the spirit of academic excellence. Let's congratulate Joris on this remarkable accomplishment!

We're thrilled to celebrate LD Mattson's remarkable achievement! 🎉 LD has successfully defended his dissertation: "Trust-Building Communication and Climate Risk Decision Making." This is a proud moment for the HDSHC community. Congratulations Dr. Mattson!

🎓 Congratulations to Christina Reimche, our Spring 2024 Dean’s Medalist! 🌟👏

Christina is a Barrett, The Honors College at ASU student who is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Communication and a minor in Family and Human Development. Beyond her academic achievements, Christina received the prestigious Hugh Downs School of Human Communication Scholars Program Scholarship and was honored with the Barnes Scholarship Endowment in Communication.

🎉 Join us in congratulating Christina on this remarkable achievement! 🎉

Join us in celebrating Dr. Jihyun Kang's remarkable achievement!
Dr. Kang has successfully defended her dissertation, "Startup Leaders’ Vision Communication in Dynamic Environments." We are immensely proud of her unwavering dedication and hard work.
A heartfelt thank you to Professor Steven R. Corman and Professor Joris Van Ouytsel for their invaluable guidance as her co-advisors.
Share your congratulations and support for Dr. Kang! 👏🎉

LD Mattson has been honored with the coveted National Science Foundation (NSF) research grant award for his doctoral dissertation research: “Trust-Building Communication and Climate Decision Making.” Congratulations LD! 🎉👏

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Kiki van Essen on her remarkable achievement!

Dr. van Essen has successfully defended her dissertation, "Associations Between Expectancy Violations and International Students' Perceptions of Acculturation, Loneliness and Emotional Well-Being." We're incredibly proud of her dedication and hard work!

A special thanks to Professor Laura Guerrero for serving as her primary advisor, Professor Joris Van Ouytsel for serving as her co-advisor, and to Professor Kristen Cvancara for her invaluable input as the outside committee member.

Share your congratulations and support for Dr. van Essen! 🎉

On Friday April 5th, the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication celebrated the retirement of two of our most esteemed colleagues, Professors Olga Davis and Benjamin Broome. In recognition of their remarkable contributions, both were honored with distinguished service awards, a testament to their enduring impact and dedication. Thank you to for hosting this unforgettable night!

Please join us in congratulating our newest doctor, Dr. Marco Dehnert! Marco defended his dissertation titled “Human-Machine Relationality and the Illusion of Being Cared For: An In-Depth Exploration of Relationships with Communicative Machines.”